Deutschland-Tour 2007

limerickman said:

This tour started today : all of the major teams are there : CSC, DC, Lampre
Liquigas, Saunier, Rabo :

Jens Voigt, is among the former winners taking part.
Leipheimer of DC wasn't listed as a starter for DC.

This is a nine stage event with some tough climbing involved.

Difficult one to call : I think Sanchez of Caisse might feature.
Bernhard Kohl of Gerolsteiner could be a bet.

The nearest surefire selection would be CSC : Cancellara, perhaps??

First pick the teams that will do well in the TTT to narrow it down. Let's say Disco, T-Mob, CSC. Then pick an individual time trialist and hard man on one of those teams.

It's hard not to pick Cancellara. Leipheimer used up his supply of blood in the Tour's last TT, so he is off the list. I think I will go with a bit of a long shot and pick Hincapie; if his deal with T-Mob is not sealed, he will be motivated to win T-Mobile's home Tour.

limerickman said:

The nearest surefire selection would be CSC : Cancellara, perhaps??

Don't have the start list. Is Sastre racing?

meehs said:

Don't have the start list. Is Sastre racing?

He's not listed on CSC roster.

limerickman said:

He's not listed on CSC roster.

Agree with Bro Deal that you gotta take someone from one of the strong TTT teams. Okay... Cancellara is a tough pick to dispute. Which means he probably won't win. Hincapie is an interesting pick. But I'm not sure he's capable of winning anything (other than the USA road race championship I guess). Can't decide. I guess I won't make a pick myself. I'll just tell you guys that your picks aren't going to win and then say "I told you so" when it's over! 😄

Andy Schleck and Bobby Julich for one-two.

DiabloScott said:

Andy Schleck and Bobby Julich for one-two.

[censored]! I was going to take Julich.

meehs said:

[censored]! I was going to take Julich.

Julich might be a good choice. He's still in negotiations with CSC for a one year extension and he wants to win one of the U.S. championship races. He might be in form and motivated. Downside is that he is on the downside of his career.

meehs said:

[censored]! I was going to take Julich.

Julich could be a very wise choice.

Diablo's, Schleck is a good bet too.

Any Liqui riders as contenders??

Eternal 5th Brajkovic.

Stage 3 looks to be an up and down stage - and it will be tough following stage 2 ITT.

Stage 5 Sonthofen - Soelden, has a very very hard mountain top HC finish.

Interesting race profile.

limerickman said:

Stage 3 looks to be an up and down stage - and it will be tough following stage 2 ITT.

Stage 5 Sonthofen - Soelden, has a very very hard mountain top HC finish.

Interesting race profile.

Sölden is the roof of the pro-tour... (watch that pic gallery of Sölden on the CH site, no I won't be there, Heinz will take the pics for us, I am getting old 😄, I will probebly do the Tour de l'avenir and the worlds)

I will pick Andy Schleck.

for tomorrow's stage, I'll pick CSC

for the ITT, instead of cancellara, i'll pick lang.

Klodifan said:

for tomorrow's stage, I'll pick CSC

for the ITT, instead of cancellara, i'll pick lang.

Is there an internet feed somewhere? I only found very little information. What's the beef on team Elk Haus? And what about the flooding in Germany, does it affect the course?

limerickman said:

Stage 5 Sonthofen - Soelden, has a very very hard mountain top HC finish.

I didn't see that. 2000 meter climb at the end. This changes things. I seem to recall the Deutschland Tour not having so harsh of a climb at the ends of stages.

Could it be? Tommy D. I will have to rethink my pick.

Bro Deal said:

I didn't see that. 2000 meter climb at the end. This changes things. I seem to recall the Deutschland Tour not having so harsh of a climb at the ends of stages.

Could it be? Tommy D. I will have to rethink my pick.

The same mountain top finish was in the route in 2005...

Cobblestones said:

Is there an internet feed somewhere? I only found very little information. What's the beef on team Elk Haus? And what about the flooding in Germany, does it affect the course?

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cyclingheroes said:

The same mountain top finish was in the route in 2005...

Okay, I guess I just get things stuck in my mind like Voigt or Rogers winning and think "flattish".

New pick: I'm going to go with Andy Schleck.

limerickman said:

Stage 3 looks to be an up and down stage - and it will be tough following stage 2 ITT.

Stage 5 Sonthofen - Soelden, has a very very hard mountain top HC finish.

Interesting race profile.

can't find stage profiles anywhere, only lists of points on the route on the official site - know of any sites with the profiles?

Tor said:

can't find stage profiles anywhere, only lists of points on the route on the official site - know of any sites with the profiles?

cyclingnews has them.